Leicester City’s Brendan Rodgers on Harry Maguire, targets, Atalanta

Here are the latest updates from Brendan Rodgers on Harry Maguire’s transfer Saga, the friendly versus Atalanta, and Leicester City’s targets.

Leicester City have conducted a marvelous pre-season campaign. If the Foxes don’t do well in the 2019/20 season, then it won’t be because of incorrect preparation. That includes having a clear idea of their aspiration: to finish higher than last term’s ninth; we all know that aim is European qualification in actuality.

Brendan Rodgers has come in and done a simply wonderful job in all areas of functionality: staff relationships; respect for the club; man management with players; and results. There have also been excellent signings: Ayoze Perez from Newcastle United; James Justin coming from Luton Town; along with Leicester’s new record signing Youri Tielemans, who signed from AS Monaco.

The level of opposition hasn’t been exceptional in practice games by any means; although opponents such as Stoke City always give a tough test. Especially when the other half of your squad is playing at he equally tricky Rotherham.

A bonus this off-season was the rejuvenation of striker Kelechi Iheanacho. His performances have not been of an acceptable standard, almost to the point of the situation being untenable for him at King Power Stadium. Yet the Foxes boss gave the Nigerian another chance – Nigeria’s attacker consequently supplied three finishes in two outings.

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On Wednesday the Northern Irishman gave updates on the current state of affairs of the East Midlands team; including Harry Maguire’s prospective transfer’s status; the Atalanta friendly on Friday evening; and the club’s targets for the year:

"“I’m obviously relaxed with it [Maguire saga]. It is what it is. The player has been first class with his attitude in his training. The club hasn’t changed its stance in terms of the valuation for the player.“As of this day, the valuation for Harry hasn’t been met that would trigger any communication with the player and the other club. For me, Top, John [Rudkin] and Susan [Whelan] are doing a great job in relation to that. There’s no change.“Atalanta are a team who some may not know about, but they finished 3rd in the Italian league last season. The reason for it is because Wolves will more than likely play a back three and leading into that game Atalanta play with a back three, so it gives us a chance to test ourselves with in that shape.“The last two seasons the team have finished 9th, so can we make that next step forward. Obviously of course it’s a big challenge to break into the European football spots, but anything is possible. That’s always been our mantra.”– Brendan RodgersVia: BBC Radio Leicester Sport"

As usual Rodgers is informative and interesting in his dispatch. Which is refreshing in comparison to other gaffers.

Above you can see, and click on, yesterday’s tweet from BBC Sport quoting Rodgers.

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• Southampton 1-4 Leicester: 3 things learned
• Predicted Leicester City starting XI vs Southampton

We’re going to go ahead and predict a sixth place premiership placing for Leicester this season. Yes, it’s a bold claim; but Foxes of Leicester still don’t think Manchester United have a better squad at present than the Foxes. For that matter, the King Power club arguably also have the more capable manager.

Where do you think Leicester will finish in the league this campaign?